Router-Based Home Network Synchronization

ABSTRACT

Described herein is a home data router and a plurality of home communication devices that utilize the home data router for voice and data connectivity. The home data router includes functionality for synchronizing user-added data items across the plurality of home communication devices. Such user-added data items can include things like contacts, addresses, telephone numbers, events, calendar items, notes, and other information that might be useful to have stored in individual home communication devices.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.61/264,627, entitled “Connected Home” and filed on Nov. 25, 2009.Application No. 61/264,627 is fully incorporated herein by thisreference.

BACKGROUND

The lines between different types of communications continue to blur asmore and more communications and media transfers take place over commondigital networks such as the Internet. In the past, there were differentchannels for different types of messaging. In particular, voicecommunications used to take place primarily over dedicated, wiredtelephone systems. More recently, voice communications have useddedicated wireless technologies such as cellular networks. Even morerecently, however, various types of networks are being used for manydifferent types of media exchanges. For example, the public Internet canbe used for many different types of communications, including voicecommunications. Similarly, cellular networks are increasingly being usedto convey non-voice data to and from portable devices, including dataand content that is normally thought of as belonging to the Internet. Ineffect, many different networks and networking technologies are beingjoined and fused, to create a single world-wide data network.

Despite the trend for commonality in data formats, protocols, and media,home consumer devices often cling to older, dedicated technologies. Hometelephones, for example, are often stand-alone systems that communicateprimarily using legacy, wired telephone infrastructures. Althoughwireless home telephones are widely used, they normally are not part ofthe more integrated infrastructure and information corpus with which ourcellular phones and personal computers communicate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanyingfigures, in which the left-most digit of a reference number identifiesthe figure in which the reference number first appears. The use of thesame reference numbers in different figures indicates similar oridentical items or features.

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a first exemplary homecommunications system.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of a second exemplary homecommunications system.

FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram of an exemplary home router.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are flowcharts showing exemplary synchronizationprocedures.

FIG. 6 is a simplified block diagram of an exemplary localcommunications device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Described herein are components, devices, and techniques for integratinghome telephones and other voice communications devices with the largercommunications and information infrastructure that is now available. Anetwork router connects to a communications infrastructure such as theInternet and also communicates with local communications devices such ashandheld voice communication devices or handsets. The router has one ormore local ports that communicate with the voice communication devices.The local ports can include a wireless network access point, wiredanalog telephone ports, a wireless telephone transceiver such as a DECTdigital telephone transceiver, and/or other types of dedicated ornetworked ports such as Ethernet ports. In addition to normal networkrouting functionality for use in conjunction with various types ofnetworked computer devices, the router acts as a telecommunications basestation for associated voice communications devices, and includessynchronization features or logic to synchronize user-added informationacross such devices. The user-added information may include things likecontact/address information, calendar events, notes, tasks, photographs,and similar types of user-added or user-specific information that mightbe useful to have available at the devices.

Overview

FIG. 1 shows relevant components of a home communications system 100 inaccordance with various embodiments. System 100 includes an integratedhome router and telecommunications base station 102 (referred to belowas home router 102). Home router 102 has conventional network andInternet routing features, as well as other capabilities such aswireless telephone base station capabilities.

Home router 102, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, includes a wide-areanetwork (WAN) interface or port 104, data routing logic 106, and one ormore local communication interfaces or ports 108.

WAN interface 104 can comprise an Ethernet communications port forconnection to an Internet data source or other wide-area network source.Other types of network interfaces might also be utilized. In someembodiments, WAN interface 104 can be a radio or other wirelesstransceiver that transmits and receives radio frequency communicationsvia an antenna. The radio interface may facilitate wireless connectivitybetween the home router 102 and various cell towers, base stationsand/or wide area access points.

Local communication interfaces 108 can comprise various types of wiredand wireless interfaces, configured for communication with a pluralityof local devices such as computers, gaming consoles, media players,servers, other computer-like devices, and voice communication devices.Local interfaces 108 include any one or more of an Ethernet interface,wireless LAN interface, a near field interface, a DECT chipset, or aninterface for an RJ-11 or RJ-45 port. The wireless LAN interface caninclude a Wi-Fi interface or a Wi-Max interface, or a Bluetoothinterface that performs the function of transmitting and receivingwireless communications using, for example, the IEEE 802.11, 802.16and/or 802.20 standards. For instance, home router 102 can use a Wi-Fiinterface to communicate directly with a nearby device. The near fieldinterface can include a Bluetooth® interface or RFID for transmittingand receiving near field radio communications via a near field antenna.For example, the near field interface may be used for functions, as isknown in the art, such as communicating directly with nearby devicesthat are also, for instance, Bluetooth® or RFID enabled. Areader/interrogator may be incorporated into home router 102.

In this example, local communication interfaces 108 include a wirelessnetwork interface or access point 110, also referred to as a Wi-Fiaccess point. Wireless network interface 110 can be an IEEE 802.11xwireless interface, access point, or transceiver, for connection tovarious different types of computers and other devices.

Local communication interfaces 108 can also comprise a wireless digitaltelephone transceiver or interface 112 and one or more wired, analogtelephone ports or interfaces 114. Wireless digital telephone interface112 can be a DECT digital telephone interface for communication withmultiple digital handsets or other DECT-compliant devices. Analogtelephone interfaces 114 are legacy wired telephone ports, referred toas POTS (“Plain Old Telephone Service”) interfaces.

A variety of handsets, handheld voice communications devices, and otherlocal devices 116 can be associated with home router 102. The example ofFIG. 1 includes a computer 116(a) as an example of a computing devicethat might connect by Wi-Fi to home router 102, using Wi-Fi interface110. Computer 116(a) can have voice capabilities, allowing voice-over-IP(VoIP) telephony through home router 102.

Telephone handsets 116(b), 116(c), and 116(d) are examples of localvoice communication devices or handsets that can be associated with homerouter 102. Communication device 116(b) is a digital telephone or DECThandset that connects to home router 102 through wireless digitaltelephone interface 112. Communication device 116(c) is an example of aVoIP handset that connects through Wi-Fi interface 110 for voicecommunications. Communication device 116(d) is an example of a legacytelephone or handset that connects to home router 102 through one of itsanalog interfaces 114.

The local computing devices 116 are merely examples of many differenttypes of devices that may utilize the connectivity and services of homerouter 102. Other devices, having different combinations ofcommunications technologies, may also be used. For example, personaldigital assistants (PDA), cell phones, smartphones, and other deviceshaving various functionality and features may be associated forcommunications through home router 102. Furthermore, cellular devicesand other communications or computing devices may also have Wi-Fi orDECT capabilities for use with home router 102. In addition, home router102 may include other types of wired and wireless local communicationinterfaces 108, as noted above, through which different local devicesmight connect.

In conjunction with home router 102, local devices 116 comprise aprivate home network, such as a local area network (LAN) or personalarea network (PAN). As discussed above, communications over the homenetwork may be wired, wireless, or both. Also, communications devices116 of the home network may utilize any sort of communication protocolknown in the art for sending and receiving messages, such as theTransmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), the HypertextTransfer Protocol (HTTP), and/or the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP).In one embodiment, communications related to telephony conform to SIPfor later transmission by the home router 102 to a telephonic serviceprovider network. Communications also conform to TCP/IP and/or HTTP fortransmission across the home network.

WAN interface 104 can be connected to a wide-area network such as theInternet, often through an Internet Service Provider (ISP). Data routinglogic 106 routes data between the wide-area network and the variousdevices 116 that are connected to or associated with home router 102,using the standards and protocols mentioned above. WAN interface 104 isalso capable of communicating with a telephone service or telephonicservice provider network to facilitate voice communications betweenlocal devices 116 and remote telephonic devices. Some telephonic serviceproviders might be accessible through the Internet using VoIPtechnology, while others might be accessible over proprietary andprivate networks. In some cases, WAN interface 104 can connect to aprivate telephonic service provider network using secure encryptiontechnology such as a virtual private network (VPN) tunnel.

Local devices 116 can place and receive voice calls through home router102. In some cases, the local device might simply use home router 102 asa data conduit for voice data. This might be the case with computer 116,which might have VoIP client software for placing and receivingtelephone calls in conjunction with an Internet-based telephonic serviceprovider. Handheld devices such as 116(b) and 116(c) might similarlyhave self-contained capabilities for placing and receiving voice callsonce they have Internet connectivity.

Home router 102 can also, or alternatively, have an internal callhandler 120 that makes and receives voice calls and connects them withan appropriate one of local devices 116. Specifically, call handler 120facilitates voice calls with local devices 116 and through the one ormore local communication interfaces 108 and the wide-area networkinterface 104. In this situation, the VoIP or other telephonic softwareis implemented largely within home router 102. Local devices 116 act asclients to call handler 120, communicating with call handler 120 throughlocal communication interfaces 108. Call handler 120 in turncommunicates with a telephonic service provider through WAN interface104. In the case of analog telephone 116(d), call handler 120facilitates voice calls with analog telephone 118(c) through the one ormore analog telephone ports 114.

The logic and software for establishing and controlling voice calls canbe distributed between home router 102 and local devices 116 indifferent ways. Whether communications are controlled by local devices116, or by call handler 120 of home router 102, IMS (IP MultimediaSubsystem) and SIP protocols can be used to implement voice and othertypes of communications.

Home router 102 also has a user data synchronization module or logic122. Synchronization logic 122 is configured to access user-addedinformation items from a user data store 124 and to synchronizeuser-added information items across the plurality of local devices 116,through the one or more local communication interfaces 108.

User-added information items can comprise a variety of data objects,representing specific items of information added by or specific to usersor a household of users, such as contacts and address book information,notes, pictures, etc.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, user-added information itemsare stored in database 124, which is external and accessible to homerouter 102. However, user-added information 124 could also be stored ina database internal to home router 102.

User-added information 124 can be entered and maintained in differentways, including by manual entry using any one of local devices 116. Forexample, individual handsets can have user interfaces that allow usersto enter specific information such as telephone numbers, addresses, etc.Once entered at an individual handset, the information is conveyedthrough local communication interfaces 108 to synchronization logic 122,which in turn updates user data store 124 and pushes the new informationto any other local communication devices 116 associated with home router102. Alternatively, each of local communication devices 116 mayperiodically poll home router 102 to detect any changes in user-addedinformation and to update its local information accordingly. Thus,within a short time, all of the local communication devices are updatedto contain the same information.

Specific examples of user-added information can include, withoutlimitation:

a. calendar events;

b. messages;

c. contacts;

d. photographs;

e. audio;

f. notes;

g. tasks;

h. email;

i. voicemail;

j. logs;

k. personal locations; and

l. configuration.

User data store 124 can take many forms, from a simple memory structureto a complex application with flexible application programminginterfaces (APIs). In the embodiment described herein, user data store124 is implemented as a network-based service, accessible over either alocal-area network or a wide-area network using APIs.

FIG. 2 shows another example of how a home communications system 200might be implemented to synchronize user-added information acrossvarious local devices. In this example, home communications system 200includes home router 102, as already described. For simplicity, only thecall handler 120 and synchronization logic 122 of home router 102 areshown here.

Home router 102 forms a base station for local devices 116, which inthis example can be wireless (using DECT, or Wi-Fi interfaces) handsetsdesigned for specific compatibility with the call handling and user datasynchronization features of home router 102. They form part of a homenetwork as described above with reference to FIG. 1, and connect to homerouter 102 through local communication interfaces 108.

System 200 includes a telecommunications service or telephonic serviceprovider network 204, implemented by a telephone service provider.Telephone service 204 can be a VoIP-based service, a cellular network,or any other type of telephonic service with access to the world-widetelephonic infrastructure. In various embodiments, the service providernetwork 204 is associated with a service provider, such as a provider oftelecommunication services, data services, messaging services, mobilecellular services, etc. The service provider network 204 can be aprivate network of that service provider and might include cellular dataand communication networks.

In this example, home router 102 and its call handler 120 communicatewith telephone service 204 through a wide-area network 206. Wide-areanetwork 206 represents any one or more networks known in the art, suchas cellular networks and/or data networks, including wide area networks(WANs), LANs, PANs, and/or the Internet. A connection between the homerouter 102 and the service provider network 204 may be through a numberof routers, base stations, and/or devices acting as bridges betweencellular and data networks. Communications between the home router 102and the service provider network 204 may utilize any sort ofcommunication protocol known in the art for sending and receivingmessages, such as TCP/IP and/or HTTP. In some embodiments, wide-areanetwork 206 also includes an Internet service provider (ISP) providingInternet connectivity to the home router 102. In many embodiment,wide-area network 206 can be thought of simply as the Internet.

In many embodiments, home router 102 communicates with telephone service204 using a secure tunnel 208, established through the Internet or otherwide-area network using virtual private network (VPN) technologies. Thisensures data security and privacy.

As noted above, user data store 124 can be located remotely from homerouter 102. In the example of FIG. 2, user data store 124 is accessiblethrough wide-area network 206. Access to user added data 124 can bethrough another secure VPN tunnel 210, or using some other secure dataexchange protocol. Alternatively, user-added data 124 might be part ofand accessible through telephone service 204.

Example Systems

FIG. 3 illustrates a simplified, component level view of an example homerouter 102, in accordance with various embodiments. As shown, the homerouter 102 includes a one or more processors 302 and memory 304.

In some embodiments, the processor(s) 302 is a central processing unit(CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or both CPU and GPU, or otherprocessing unit or component known in the art.

Generally, memory 304 contains computer-readable instructions that areaccessible and executable by processor 302. Memory 304 may comprise avariety of computer readable storage media, including both volatile andnon-volatile storage media (e.g., RAM, ROM, Flash Memory, miniature harddrive, memory card, or the like). Additionally, in some embodiments,memory 304 includes one or more SIM (subscriber identity module, notshown) cards, which are removable memory cards used to identify a userof the home router 102 to the telephone service 204.

Any number of program modules can be stored in the memory, including byway of example, an operating system, one or more applications, otherprogram modules, and program data. Each of such program modules andprogram data (or some combination thereof) is executable by processor302 to implement all or part of the logic and functionality describedherein. Specific relevant examples of possible program modules are shownin FIG. 3, but others may also be utilized to perform various functionsdescribed herein. Note that the described functions can also beimplemented in other ways within home router 102, such as with varioustypes of hardwired logic or firmware. In addition, the various functionsand responsibilities may be segregated or distributed in different ways.The arrangement of FIG. 3 is just one example of how these functionsmight be implemented.

In this example, relevant modules of memory 304 include a communicationsmodule 306, a call handling module 308, a device synchronization module310, and other modules and data 312. The functions of these modules willbe described in more detail below.

Home router 102 also has LAN ports 314, one or more WAN ports 316, anddata routing logic 318. LAN ports 314 are various local network ports,including Ethernet ports and the local device ports 108 described withreference to FIG. 1. WAN ports 316 can also be one or more Ethernetports, and correspond to the WAN interface 104 of FIG. 1. Data routinglogic 318 routes IP packets or other network data between WAN ports 316and LAN ports 314, in accordance with known protocols. Data routinglogic 318 is shown as being a discrete component, but alternatively canbe executed by processor(s) 302 as a program module contained and storedwithin memory 304.

Referring now to both FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, in the described embodimentcommunications module 306 comprises one or more program modulesconfigured to manage communications and data routing between the variouslocal communications devices 116. Call handling module 308 comprises oneor more program modules configured to manage voice calls between localcommunication devices 116 and telephone service 204. Devicesynchronization module 310 comprises one or more program modulesconfigured to synchronize user-added data and information, as describedabove, between local communications devices and user data store 124. Insome embodiments, device synchronization module 310 may be configured topro-actively notify local communications devices 116 of any new orchanged user-added data and information, and to therefore push thisinformation to local communications devices 116. In other embodiments, apull model might be utilized, wherein device synchronization module 310responds to periodic queries from the local devices 116 to provide theuser-added information to local devices 116.

As mentioned above, user data store 124 can be part of the telephoneservice network 204 and accessible through telephone service network204. Alternatively, user data store 124 can be a local device or server,accessible through one of LAN ports 314. In some embodiments, there maynot be a central store such as user data store 124. Rather, user-addedinformation might simply be stored on local communications devices 116,and propagated from one to the rest of the local communications devices116 upon any change to the user-added information. In still otherembodiments, home router 102 itself may contain the user-added datastore.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show functions performed by device synchronization module310. In FIG. 4, at block 402, synchronization module 310 receives a newor changed user item from a local communications device 116. This isnormally in response to a user entering or changing some informationitem using local communications device 116, such as the user enteringcontact or calendar information via local communications device 116. Inresponse to receiving the new or changed user item, at block 404synchronization module 310 saves the new or changed user item to userdata store 124. In some embodiments, this is accomplished by issuingappropriate network API calls to a remote server. In other embodiments,this might be accomplished by simply referencing a data structureinternal to home router 102. Also in response to receiving the new orchanged user item, at block 406 synchronization module 310 pushes orsends the new or changed user item to other local communications devices116, so that all local communications devices have the same information.

FIG. 5 illustrates a situation in which a user item might be changed onuser data store 124 independently of any of local communication devices116. This might happen, for example, when user data store is implementedas an Internet-based service accessible over the Internet from variouscomputers. In this situation, a device other than local communicationsdevices 102 might be used to create or alter user items within user datastore 124. In order to accommodate this scenario, synchronization module310, at block 502, periodically queries user data store 124 to determinewhether any changes of occurred in user-added data. If no changes haveoccurred, as indicated by decision block 504, the query is repeatedafter an appropriate time delay 506. If a change has occurred, block 508is performed, comprising receiving the new or changed data item. Inblock 510, synchronization module 310 pushes the changed user item toall of local communications devices 116.

FIG. 6 illustrates a component level view of an example localcommunications device 116 in accordance with various embodiments. Asshown, the device 116 may include one or more processors 602 and memory604.

In some embodiments, the processor(s) 602 is a central processing unit(CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or both CPU and GPU, or otherprocessing unit or component known in the art.

Generally, memory 604 contains computer-readable instructions that areaccessible and executable by processor 602. Memory 604 may comprise avariety of computer readable storage media, including both volatile andnon-volatile storage media (e.g., RAM, ROM, Flash Memory, miniature harddrive, memory card, or the like). Additionally, in some embodiments,memory 304 includes one or more SIM (subscriber identity module, notshown) cards, which are removable memory cards used to identify a usercommunications device 116 to a telephone service or service provider.

Any number of program modules can be stored in the memory, including byway of example, an operating system, one or more applications, otherprogram modules, and program data. Each of such program modules andprogram data (or some combination thereof) is executable by processor602 to implement all or part of the logic and functionality describedherein. Specific relevant examples of possible program modules are shownin FIG. 6, but others may also be utilized to perform various functionsdescribed herein. Note that the described functions can also beimplemented in other ways within communications device 116, such as withvarious types of hardwired logic or firmware. In addition, the variousfunctions and responsibilities may be segregated or distributed indifferent ways. The arrangement of FIG. 6 is just one example of howthese functions might be implemented.

In this example, relevant modules of memory 604 include a communicationsmodule 606, a user interface module 608, a user item management module610, and other modules and data 612.

Communications module 606 comprises communications comprises one or moreprogram modules configured to manage communications and data routingbetween the local communications device 116 and home router 102. Userinterface module 608 comprises one or more program modules configured tointeract with a user, allowing the user to make and receive calls, toreceive notifications and other information, and to enter or changeinformation such as user-added information items.

User item management module 610 comprises one or more program modulesconfigured to manage local storage of user information items and tocoordinate exchange of user information items with home router 102. Forexample, user item management module 610 may receive push notificationsfrom home router 102, indicating new or changed user information items.User item management module 610 responds to such notifications byobtaining or receiving the new or changed user information items andstoring them locally. Alternatively, user item management module 610 mayperiodically poll home router 102 to determine whether there are any newor changed user information items. If it finds that there are such newor changed user information items, user item management module mayobtain or receive the new or changed user information items and storethem locally.

-   -   The other modules and data 612 are modules for enabling voice        and data communications to and from the device 116 as well as        other modules for any other number of device functions for        telecommunications, media, and computing devices known in the        art.

Local communications device 116 further includes one or morecommunications interfaces 614, a display 616, output devices 618, andinput devices 620.

In various embodiments, the communication interfaces 614 are any sort ofinterfaces known in the art, such as any one or more of an Ethernetinterface, wireless LAN interface, a near field interface, a DECTchipset, or an interface for an RJ-11 or RJ-45 port. The a wireless LANinterface can include a Wi-Fi interface or a Wi-Max interface, or aBluetooth interface that performs the function of transmitting andreceiving wireless communications using, for example, the IEEE 802.11,802.16 and/or 802.20 standards. For instance, the device 116 can use aWi-Fi interface to communicate directly with home router 116. The nearfield interface can include a Bluetooth® interface or RFID fortransmitting and receiving near field radio communications via a nearfield antenna. For example, the near field interface may be used forfunctions, as are known in the art, such as communicating directly withnearby devices that are also, for instance, Bluetooth® or RFID enabled.A reader/interrogator may be incorporated into device 116.

In various embodiments, the display 616 is a liquid crystal display orany other type of display commonly used in telecommunication devices.For example, display 616 may be a touch-sensitive display screen, andcan then also act as an input device or keypad, such as for providing asoft-key keyboard, navigation buttons, or the like.

In some embodiments, the output devices 618 include any sort of outputdevices known in the art, such as a display (already described asdisplay 616), speakers, a vibrating mechanism, or a tactile feedbackmechanism. Output devices 618 also include ports for one or moreperipheral devices, such as headphones, peripheral speakers, or aperipheral display.

In various embodiments, input devices 620 include any sort of inputdevices known in the art. For example, input devices 620 may include amicrophone, a keyboard/keypad, or a touch-sensitive display (such as thetouch-sensitive display screen described above). A keyboard/keypad maybe a push button numeric dialing pad (such as on a typicaltelecommunication device), a multi-key keyboard (such as a conventionalQWERTY keyboard), or one or more other types of keys or buttons, and mayalso include a joystick-like controller and/or designated navigationbuttons, or the like.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific tostructural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understoodthat the subject matter defined in the appended claims is notnecessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather,the specific features and acts are disclosed as exemplary forms ofimplementing the claims.

1. A telecommunications base station comprising: one or more wirelessinterfaces configured for communication with a plurality of handheldvoice communication devices; a communications port capable ofcommunicating with a telephone service; a call handler that facilitatesvoice calls with the handheld voice communication devices through theone or more wireless interfaces, the communications port, and thetelephone service; and synchronization logic configured to accessuser-added information and to synchronize the user-added informationacross the plurality of handheld voice communication devices through theone or more wireless interfaces.
 2. A telecommunications base station asrecited in claim 1, wherein the communications port is a wide-areanetwork port configured for connection to the Internet.
 3. Atelecommunications base station as recited in claim 1 wherein: thecommunications port is a wide-area network port configured forconnection to the Internet; the telecommunications base station furthercomprises data routing logic to route data to and from the Internet; andthe one or more wireless interfaces comprises a wireless network accesspoint that connects local wireless devices to the Internet.
 4. Atelecommunications base station as recited in claim 1, thesynchronization logic being further configured to receive new user-addedinformation from the plurality of handheld voice communications devicesand in response to synchronize the new user-added information across theplurality of handheld voice communication devices.
 5. Atelecommunications base station as recited in claim 1, thesynchronization logic being further configured to access the user-addedinformation from a remote server over a wide area network.
 6. Atelecommunications base station as recited in claim 1, thesynchronization logic being further configured to access the user-addedinformation from a local server or local data store.
 7. Atelecommunications base station as recited in claim 1, wherein theuser-added information comprises one or more of the following: calendarevents; messages; contacts; photographs; audio; notes; tasks; email;voicemail; logs; personal locations; and configuration.
 8. Atelecommunications base station as recited in claim 1, the one or morewireless interfaces comprising one or more of a wireless network accesspoint, a DECT digital telephone transceiver, and a wireless telephonetransceiver.
 9. A telecommunications base station as recited in claim 1,further comprising one or more analog telephone ports for connection toanalog telephones, wherein the call handler facilitates voice calls withthe analog telephones through the one or more analog telephone ports,the communications port, and the telephone service.
 10. A data routercomprising: a plurality of wireless data interfaces configured tocommunicate with a plurality of local devices; and synchronization logicconfigured to receive user-added information via a first of the wirelessdata interfaces from a first of the local devices and to synchronize theuser-added information via a second of the wireless data interfaces witha second of the local devices.
 11. A data router as recited in claim 10,wherein the synchronization logic is configured to push the user addedinformation to the second of the local devices.
 12. A data router asrecited in claim 10, wherein the synchronization logic is configured torespond to periodic queries from the second of the local devices toprovide the user-added information to the second of the local devices.13. A data router as recited in claim 10, further comprising: awide-area network port for connection to a wide-area data network; saidone or more wireless data interfaces comprising a wireless networkaccess point; and routing logic configured to route data between theplurality of local devices and the wide-area data network.
 14. A datarouter as recited in claim 10, further comprising a call handler thatfacilitates voice calls with the local devices through the one or morewireless data interfaces and the wide-area network.
 15. A data router asrecited in claim 10, further comprising: a call handler that facilitatesvoice calls with the local devices through the one or more wireless datainterfaces and the wide-area network; and the one or more wirelessinterfaces further comprising one or more of a wireless network accesspoint, a DECT digital telephone transceiver, and a wireless telephonetransceiver.
 16. A data router as recited in claim 10, furthercomprising: a call handler that facilitates voice calls with the localdevices through the one or more wireless data interfaces and thewide-area network; and the one or more wireless interfaces furthercomprising a wireless telephone transceiver.
 17. A data router asrecited in claim 10, the synchronization logic being further configuredto access user-added information from a server or data store and tosynchronize the accessed user-added information across the localdevices.
 18. A data router as recited in claim 10, the synchronizationlogic being further configured to access the user-added information froma remote server over the wide area data network.
 19. A data router asrecited in claim 10, the synchronization logic being further configuredto access the user-added information from a local server or local datastore.
 20. A data router as recited in claim 10, wherein the user-addedinformation comprises one or more of the following: calendar events;messages; contacts; photographs; audio; notes; tasks; email; voicemail;logs; personal locations; and configuration.